Description
This Halal Cart-Style Cauliflower Bowl is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by Mediterranean street food. Featuring spiced roasted cauliflower, fluffy brown rice, a fresh tomato and herb salad, and a creamy tahini yogurt sauce, it’s a wholesome, satisfying vegan meal perfect for lunch or dinner. The combination of warm spices, fresh herbs, and tangy accents creates a delicious balance of flavors that’s both nutritious and hearty.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 cup brown rice
Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp plus 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, divided
- 1 head cauliflower, cut into medium-size florets
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
Tomato Salad
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh mint, divided
- 1 tbsp plus 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley, divided
- 2 tsp finely chopped garlic, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (included in lemon juice above)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (remaining from above)
Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- 3 tbsp coconut yogurt
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
- Remaining 1 tsp garlic (from total 2 tsp)
- Remaining 1 tsp lemon juice (from total 2 tbsp + 1 tsp)
- 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
To Serve
- Thinly sliced lettuce
- Pita chips
- Harissa or hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water and 1 tsp kosher salt to a boil over high heat. Add the brown rice back to the pot, return it to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Let the rice simmer until tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let it rest covered for 15 minutes to finish steaming.
- Prepare and Roast Cauliflower: In a large bowl, combine oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, ground allspice, turmeric, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add cauliflower florets and toss to coat evenly. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until tender and browned in spots.
- Make the Tomato Salad: While the cauliflower roasts, mix the thinly sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let the salad sit at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Tahini Yogurt Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut yogurt, tahini, vegan mayonnaise, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic, remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon chopped mint, and 1/2 teaspoon chopped parsley until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Bowls: Layer each serving bowl with a base of fluffy brown rice, topped with roasted cauliflower and a generous scoop of tomato salad. Add a handful of thinly sliced lettuce. Drizzle the tahini yogurt sauce over the top.
- Serve: Serve each bowl alongside crunchy pita chips and your choice of harissa or hot sauce for an extra kick.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, confirm that pita chips are gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free crackers.
- You can substitute brown rice with quinoa or white rice according to preference.
- This recipe is vegan and halal-friendly as written.
- Adjust the amount of harissa or hot sauce according to desired spice level.
- Leftover roasted cauliflower and rice can be refrigerated separately and recombined before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting and Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 450g)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Halal cauliflower bowl, Mediterranean cauliflower recipe, vegan cauliflower bowl, roasted cauliflower, tahini sauce bowl, healthy cauliflower recipe, Halal street food inspired